Instant 3D printed shoes offers individualized shoes in custom sizes

April 19, 2013

During the creation process of her thesis, Prague based footwear designer Pavla Podsednikova realized that people need individualism that they could express through what they wear.

As technology in custom printing has advanced over the years, designers can now develop a whole new construction solution for each pair. Using 3D printing, ABS vacuum shaping, carbon fiber lamination, Podsednikova is able develop shoe as one, almost sculptural piece, no splitting of the upper, lining, sole, heel as well as the zippers, underlay or any other additional support.

Podsednikova developed a number of concepts: shell-like shape that feels like the shoe is the organic extension of the feet (model Vacuum step 1, Vacuum step 2).

Vacuum step 1 |
foto by Tomas Mikule

Vacuum step 2 |
foto by Tomas Mikule

The second series, model Walking carbon, is kind of a "shoe skeleton" that holds the feet only at the necessary pressure points.

Walking carbon |
foto by Tomas Mikule

Another concept is Vacuum step 3 which uses the inner part as an exchangeable component so you can wear it as a pumps or wellingtons.

Vacuum step 3 |
foto by Tomas Mikule

The ultimate models are Footprint 5, which combines 3D print with classic shoe construction and finally Footprint 6 which is fully 3D printed showing that in the future the shape will not have to be subordinate to function.

Vacuum step 5 |
foto by Tomas Mikule

Vacuum step 6 |
foto by Tomas Mikule

"In the times of mass-production of everyday items, I feel the need to find a way back to their customization and individualisation." writes Podsednikova.

"Due to the need for another boot structure than those normally used, I cast my own feet, and according to them created a new boot. In this way a collection of shoes made to measure just for me was created. I'm also interested in looking to the future - everyone can have a digitised 3D scan of their feet, according to which bespoke shoes could be produced. It would not be a problem to change the design of the shoes (could be a collection of designs on the Internet) and then manufacture the shoes exactly according to the desired proportions."